Category Archives: Thoughts

A Different Way of Looking at Things

Tricolor Beech and Linden
Heatherwood Garden

Too often we get trapped looking at something from only one way. Yesterday I was creating early summer images around the garden. I was intrigued with the multicolored leaves of our Tricolor Beech tree. I took several images of the leaves. The linden tree provided a soft background. As I took my last image of the leaves, I looked through them and saw a unique perspective of the linden tree. The pink of the beech framed the green-toned details of the linden. I created additional images from this second perspective. Sitting at my computer I could not make up my mind what image I liked the best. Why not combine them together into one image. I feel that the combined multi-exposure is better than either of the separate images.

This lesson can be applied to solving most issues. One does not necessarily need to choose between two good solutions. Many times a combined solution is the best.

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Time to Turn the Corner

Garden Path
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Today is the summer solstice. The garden is turning the corner from spring to summer. The new growth on the trees and shrubs are maturing into their summer shades. The perennials are starting to progress through their blooming schedule throughout the garden. As one fades, another picks up. The garden meadow areas are becoming a flush of colors and textures.

On the personal side, it has been one week since the Yakima Arboretum tour of gardens. The weeks of time in preparation have led a very successful tour of our Heatherwood garden and other gardens in the area. It’s time to turn the corner from a very busy time of garden preparation to a more relaxed time of enjoyment and contemplation in our Heaterwood Eden. Summer is here!

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Moody

Hostas Along Secret Garden Path
Heatherwood Late Spring

At times I get a little moody, especially after a busy intense period. It feels good to just sit back and reflect. In this image I attempted to create this feeling by selecting a quiet corner and adding a little moodiness through texture overlays. Beauty still abounds in the world around us.

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Now … The Big Picture

Waterfall and Pond
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

I step back, open my mind, and see the big picture of what was beyond the corner from my 25 May post. The heart of Heatherwood’s Japanese influenced garden presents itself. A stream originating from above flows down the hillside. Two waterfalls plunge into the pond creating a rushing sound. Trees, shrubs, and ground covers frame the stream and pond. Japanese maples add splashes of colors. The Kotoji and Yukimi Japanese lanterns overlook the stream and pond.

I now sit down in a pond-side chair, relax, and just enjoy nature’s surroundings. I contemplate about the many things that are right about our world as I hear the sounds of birds chirping through the rushing water. What a great way to start a spring day!

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What is Around the Corner?

Lower Garden Path
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Trees, shrubs, and ground covers frame the lower path of our Japanese garden area. I can hear water rushing, but there is no sign of it. What lurks around the corner of the path? Trees and carefully placed bends in the pathway obscure what is beyond.

The garden is filling in. It is hard to realize that only six years ago that this area was a grass lawn. ‘Visioneering’, imagination, design iterations, and some hard work formed the structure. Mother Nature did the rest!

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Stop … Enjoy the Moment

Purple Rhody and Beyond
Heatherwood Upper Garden

Many times I stroll through the garden with my camera just enjoying the beauty without really searching for images. Then an image just pops up. I stop and enjoy the scene before me. I see shapes, textures, and colors. The individual subjects blend together to create a feeling of beauty. I enjoy the moment. Then I bring my camera up to my eye and create an image.

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